A turn of the nineteenth century shingle style cottage built in 1899 by the Stearns family of Cincinnati, this Ogunquit ME Bed & Breakfast sits on a slight knoll with commanding views of the Atlantic, midway along the Marginal Way, a mile-long beautiful ocean-side footpath from Ogunquit Village to Perkins Cove, but in a quiet highly residential area. You can hear the surf crashing against the rocks from almost every room in Rockmere Lodge.

The spacious grounds around this Ogunquit Bed & Breakfast Inn boast extensive flower gardens with fountains, a goldfish pond and statuary that reflect the way your hosts imagine Rockmere Lodge, an Ogunquit ME B&B, would have looked at the turn of the nineteenth century. You are invited to stroll the grounds, bask in the sun, enjoy the cool sea breeze in our screen enclosed Gazebo overlooking the water or just sit in the shade on an Adirondack chair or relax on our Pagoda swing.

The sweeping veranda that wraps around the entire front of the house is graciously appointed with comfortable wicker furniture, making it an inviting place to sit and enjoy the ocean view, nap, read or meet new friends.

Montreal is a marvelously multicultural city. Our Berber taxi driver is thrilled that we had visited his native Morocco earlier this year. The Spanish-born shoe salesman tells us how he loves the city while our Bangladeshi waiters (college graduates) are busily studying French to increase their employment opportunities. Greeks, Poles, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Haitians, Africans – all are contributing to creating a French and English-speaking city of great charm.

The concierge at Hotel le St-James arranges a superb, personal, guided tour for us. David Menard provides fascinating commentary as he drives for more than three hours, introducing us to the highlights of Canada’s second-largest city. He begins with the influence of the Iroquois, now known as the First Nation people, explaining that ‘Canada’ and ‘Quebec’ derive from the Iroquois language.

We pass a tower 23 stories high, once making it the tallest building in the entire British Empire. Today, no building may be higher than 234 metres, the height of Mount Royal, which is why Montreal is not crowded with skyscrapers the way Manhattan is, though both are islands. Montreal, a 30-mile long island, founded at the confluence of the St Lawrence and Ottawa rivers, is actually linked to the mainland by at least 15 bridges and a tunnel.

Hawaiians boast a proud history, a line of mighty monarchs (some of whom openly had aikane or same-sex favorites), and an unshakable belief in the heartwarming concept of aloha, which signifies hello or goodbye but which also connotes love, peace, and compassion (among many other meanings).

The United States illegally overthrew and annexed the sovereign Kingdom of Hawaii by the early 1900s. By 1959, Hawaii became our 50th state. Despite the historically tumultuous relationship between the islands and the mainland, Hawaii offers unconditional aloha to residents of the other 49 states, welcoming visitors year-round, according an especially warm special welcome to LGBT travelers who’ll find gay and gay-friendly accommodations, restaurants, attractions and events dotting the eight primary islands of the group.

There are a lot of ways to enjoy Hawaii from the urbane (Honolulu has almost a million inhabitants) with a wide range of lodging options, a restaurant scene finally embracing the farm-to-table movement, and shopping rivaling Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive; to the adventurous and sporty (stand-up paddleboard, anyone?); to the remote, with off-the-grid slices of paradise just begging to be explored.

Hale Lalala is perfectly located within walking distance of Kalapana Cafe, Kaimu Store, Kava Bar, Lava viewing sites, Kalapana & Kaimu Black Sand Beaches. We’re also just 15 minutes by car from the cute plantation town of Pahoa, and less than 30 minutes from Hilo with its famous Farmer’s Market.

By any measure Black Walnut Point is unique. A gate secures the half-mile drive through 57 acres of bird sanctuary before entering our six-acre island of lawn. With sunrise over the broad mouth of the Choptank River and sunset over the length of Chesapeake Bay – wind, waves and endless water views are the hallmark. We have a pair of nesting eagles, resident osprey and black ducks, not to mention migrating butterflies, waterfowl and songbirds. Bay dolphin, skates and schools of bluefish are a common sight, and the back dock overlooking the cove is a perfect place to watch herons fish. At night the stars are uninterrupted, another surprise of nature, making Black Walnut Point a quiet, secret place of peace – all just an hour’s drive from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Black Walnut Point Inn consists of the main house built in the 1840’s, and three luxury cabins. We are open year-round, and each guest has a key to the sanctuary gate. Each accommodation has expansive water views and has a separate bath. All guests have access to the main house, including the dining room, living room, sun porch, front and back porches, grounds, pool, hot tub and dock. A full breakfast is served from 8 to 10am and lemonade, iced tea, hot tea and snacks are available throughout the day.

The Cold War has been over for 20 years, but for many Americans, Russia remains a mystery. From movies, we imagine a skyline of gray, Stalin-inspired buildings and murky green waters of the river that runs through the city. Wrong.

Much of this misperception results from our failure to understand the country’s history. And a chance to explore that history can lead to some of the most awe-inspiring travel one can find.

Russia’s history reveals a deeper partnership with the West than many might expect. It’s actually two countries at odds with each other. The people show great fortitude and graciousness, and are among the most welcoming of cultures. Russians are a proud people, defined by an undercurrent of their Orthodox faith and the monuments to that faith that have survived the Communist state.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

It was after 1 a.m. on a Wednesday night in Madrid’s gay Chueca district but it didn’t look like a weeknight. Despite cool weather and an intermittent light rain, the streets, bars, and cafes were jammed with people. Locals tell me that that is not unusual. Spain’s economy may be on the skids, but the Spanish are showing no signs of giving up their cherished nightlife any time soon.

Although Spain has long enjoyed a robust nightlife, not that long ago, that nightlife did not have much to offer gays.

Madrid resident Mili Hernandez, 50, recalled how far ahead the U.S. was on gay rights when she first visited New York City 25 years ago. “When I arrived in the states in 1985, I thought it was a paradise for gays and lesbians. Now I think that Spain is a paradise for gays and lesbians,” Hernandez told the Bay Area Reporter.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

We created the lodges for people who want more out of life than a whirlwind tour of the island. You may stroll through our lush garden trails, brushing against the giant fern leaves, look up at the native ohia trees, and be delighted by the wild and delicate orchids on the trees.

Your stay at Volcano Village Lodge offers a unique blend of Hawaiian history. Volcano Village is part of the sacred lands of Ola’a, first settled by the Kahuna (priests) of the Volcano Goddess Pele. The area was then kapu (forbidden) except to royalty. Now, you are our royalty. The village is a “World Heritage Site,” protected habitats for rare and endangered species as well as unique biological and geological evolutions having universal significance to all humanity. You will be our privileged guests to witness these wonders.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916, displays the results of 70 million years of volcanism, migration, and evolution — processes that thrust a bare land from the sea and clothed it with complex and unique ecosystems and a distinct human culture. The park encompasses diverse environments that range from sea level to the summit of the earth’s most massive volcano, Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet. Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano, offers scientists and visitors alike insights on the birth of the Hawaiian Islands and views of dramatic volcanic landscapes.

Okay. You think you’ve done it all. You’ve traveled Belize. You’ve seen the Maya archaeological sites. You’ve snorkeled or dived at the fabulous reef. You’ve heard the howler monkeys and spotted iguanas along the Macal River. You’ve even survived the drives along off-roads that would be worthy of a ticket at Disneyland. What’s left?

Away from the cayes and Placencia, Belize is a young, scarcely developed country, fertile with new exploration opportunities. Tour operators and licensed tour guides are always looking for yet another unique destination for their guests. And they continue to find them.

A daring Purple Roofs subscriber asked the proprietor of Mariposa Jungle Lodge for suggestions for a week of “borderline risky” experiences so he could escape his professional world and transform his persona into Indiana Jones. He was physically fit, adventuresome and looking for challenge. As they say in the Cayo region of Belize, “No problema.”

Inasmuch as this was his first trip to Belize, he spent a few days on Caye Caulker. From there, he snorkeled with the nurse sharks at Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley, and went scuba diving at the Blue Hole. Then, off to the jungle in Cayo, where he experienced the basics, i.e., a day at the great Maya site at Caracol, a hike through the awesome Rio Frio Cave, a horseback ride and cave descent in the jungle, a day at Tikal in Guatemala. At Caracol and Tikal, he climbed every temple and soaked up the historical, cultural and aesthetic offerings. At Big Rock, he climbed the rocks and dove into the natural pool.

With the basic cultural and tourist destination visits under his belt, Indiana moved on to mountain biking. Mountain biking in the Cayo jungle is not for the novice or feint of heart. The paths are rugged and the environment often untouched by human development. At times, it’s easier to push the bike than ride it. At other times, the mud might make pushing the only option. A stop to tour the temple at Xunantunich is a welcome relief and Indiana climb 130feet of tall steps to enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view of Cayo and nearby Guatemala. Undaunted, he climbs and descends before continue his mountain biking.

Having ascended to the heights of Caracol and Xunantunich, Indiana is assured he won’t get the bends from descending to Xibalba at Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM). But lots of adventuresome travelers have survived ATM. Indiana wants more. He’s taken to Crystal Cow Cave, where only the serious spelunker and physically fit adventurer can venture. He thrived on climbing, crawling and rappelling.

So he’s taken to Elijio Panti Park for a day-long hike along less than well-trimmed trails. Most visitors opt for horses, but not Indiana. It was strictly his own two feet, along with those of his intrepid guide, as they sloshed through the mud and ignored the rain, in their quest to visit a great Maya Ceremonial Cave. This cave is known to locals but not often visited because of its inaccessibility.

But, another special treat was in store for our Intrepid Indiana. He was guided to another cave that was “being considered” for tourist access by the relevant government officials. He and his guide entered the cave, crawled, climbed and explored, and exited as satisfied spelunkers who’d “beaten the system” until they met the local Forest Ranger near the exit. Fortunately, the Ranger was “visitor friendly” and congratulated Indiana on his exploit. Perhaps it was helpful that the gentlemen had met during dinner at Mariposa Jungle Lodge.

Most nights were spent dining and relaxing at the Lodge, but one night found Indiana night canoeing on the Belize River in search of crocodiles and jungle wildlife. It was a quiet night. Peace reigned. A few kinkajou were spotted by an especially alert guide.

Indiana’s 13-day trip was long by average standards but cut short for him by limited airline availability. Among the adventures he left behind are a day at Calico Jack’s Village, for ziplining, hiking and exploration of two recently open caves, each with outstanding formations.

For the discerning and experienced traveler who is seeking a great jungle experience, Mariposa Jungle Lodge is a boutique resort, centrally situated for visits to all the sites in the Heart of Cayo. Its licensed tour operation offers both popular and unusual excursion options, including a “Let’s Get Physical” package for the Indiana Jones adventurer. Located on an unexcavated Mayan mound, beneath the jungle canopy, each Mariposa luxury cabana is beautifully furnished with king size bed, sitting area, screened-in porch and private hammock.

Mariposa lives by the motto, “Adventure by Day and Comfort by Night.” Sumptuous full breakfasts and theme-based 3 or 4 course meals are offered in the main lodge building, where guests also enjoy a fully-licensed bar, a reasonable wine selection, a good sound system, a cozy library with eclectic book collection, complimentary wireless Internet, and a separate screened-in room with jungle view to reserve for that special, romantic, private candelightdinner. Guests can also reserve the 23-foot jungle birdwatch tower for private sunbathing, evening stargazing, or overnight in sleeping bags, or join the staff in a jungle gourmet BBQ dinner under the stars. Management, staff, and all tour guides employed, are gay and lesbian-friendly. Guests are promised personalized service, excellent food, peace and privacy, and an immaculate, comfortable, romantic, friendly environment.